[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 68 (Monday, April 10, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21183-21184]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07440]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648 XC905]


Marine Mammals; File No. 26767

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Sarah Kienle, Ph.D., Baylor 
University, Waco, TX 76798, has applied in due form for a permit to 
conduct research on six species of pinnipeds.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before May 10, 2023.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review by selecting ``Records Open for Public Comment'' from the 
``Features'' box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species 
(APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File 
No. 26767 from the list of available applications. These documents are 
also available upon written request via email to 
[email protected].
    Written comments on this application should be submitted via email 
to [email protected]. Please include File No. 26767 in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request via email to [email protected]. The request 
should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application 
would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara Young or Carrie Hubard, (301) 
427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking 
and

[[Page 21184]]

importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The applicant proposes to capture and sample six species of 
Southern Ocean pinnipeds across their geographic range (i.e., 
Antarctica, subantarctic islands, South America, Australia, New 
Zealand, Africa). Target species include: leopard seals (Hydrurga 
leptonyx), Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella), crabeater seals 
(Lobodon carcinophaga), Ross seals (Ommatophoca rossii), southern 
elephant seals (Mirounga leonina), and Weddell seals (Leptonychotes 
weddellii). Take activities will consist of one or more of the 
following methods based on location, sex, and age class of the animal: 
remote tissue sampling, physical capture, chemical immobilization, and 
aerial surveys. The applicant may collect morphometrics, tissues (e.g., 
blood, hair, skin, vibrissae, blubber, milk), and opportunistic samples 
(e.g., scat, carcasses); mark via flipper tag; collect ultrasound 
measurements; attach instruments; and measure via photogrammetry. For 
each species, the applicant proposes to capture and sample 30 adults, 
harass and sample 30 adults, and capture and sample 30 pups annually 
for 5 years. An additional 100-500 animals depending on the species may 
be taken annually by unintentional harassment. The applicant requests 
three leopard seal unintentional mortalities and two unintentional 
mortalities for all other species, annually. The applicant also 
requests authorization to import parts from each species of Antarctic 
pinniped from the Southern Ocean and other countries where these 
species are found to the U.S. and to export samples from the U.S. to 
collaborators abroad for analyses. The permit would be valid for 5 
years from the date of issuance.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that 
the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: April 5, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-07440 Filed 4-7-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P